Weekend Fixture Picks 22nd March
Want to go and watch some local football this weekend? We've picked out some key fixtures for you to check out in the County League and HFA Cups.
HFA Womens County Cup
Lads Club vs Bartestree
After no senior womens cup competition for several years, the growth of the adult female game in Herefordshire led to the County Cup becoming a reality again for 2018/19. Ludlow Town Ladies, invited to compete from Shropshire have already booked their place in the final and will face the winner of this Friday night semi-final. Bartestree and Lads Club have met once in the league so far this season, a game which finished 2-0 to Lads Club, however Bartestree have good cup pedigree having reached the final of the Bill Allsopp trophy in 2016/17.
HFA County League
Premier: Wellington Reserves vs Clee Hill United
A crucial game in the Premier Division run-in and one that both teams will have been focusing on for some time. Last season title winners Wellington still lead Clee Hill by 8pts but as Clee Hill have 4 games in hand, it is difficult to gauge who is in the driving seat. The Shropshire side are in superb form, having won their last 7 games – a stretch that included a 3-2 home win over Wellington. Despite this, Wellington have had the beating of Clee Hill once this season already too, recording a 4-3 victory in the HFA Charity Bowl. Neither team played last week, and Clee Hill have had their last two fixtures postponed, something coach Wayne Whitbread hopes will not have affected their chances too much. “The last few weeks have been frustrating due to having games called off through no fault of our own although we fully understand things crop up. It hasn’t been ideal preparation for such an important game but I’m sure the lads will give it their best shot.”
Division 1: Hinton Reserves vs Shobdon
After the weather has recently started taking its toll, there have been a number of postponed matches including this one which was due to be played in February. Both teams have also been in limited action this month after further wet weather so will be keen to return to action this weekend. Hinton won 4-2 to take home the points when they visited Shobdon earlier this year so the Dons will be looking to return the favour this weekend. They remain unbeaten in 10 and have as good a chance as anyone of catching league leaders Ludlow Town Colts. Hinton Reserves have sat 2nd almost all season and won’t want to lose out at home as they too look to capitalise on any points dropped by Ludlow.
Division 2: Withington vs Marden
Both of these teams will see this as a winnable fixture and it should therefore be a great contest. Marden only formed last summer and made a respectable start to life in the County League picking up some excellent results against Kington Town Reserves and Malvern Vale in their first few games. They have since found life more difficult but will be hopefully of adding to their points tally on the weekend. Withington meanwhile have recovered from 8 consecutive losses at the start of the season and have 7pts from their last 6games – a spell that included a 4-3 win over title contenders Dore Valley.
HFA County Challenge Cup
Westfields FC vs Kingstone Rovers
Kingstone Rovers are the last County League side standing in the County Challenge Cup and have to overcome a Westfields team who have already knocked out last season’s cup winners Hereford FC. Kingstone were in Division 2 of the County League only 2 seasons ago and have deservedly taken to the County Challenge Cup after two consecutive promotions. Westfields will provide a different challenge altogether but it is sure to be a challenge Kingstone will rise to. Fields are 3rd in the Midland Football League and the promotion chasers recent form has just left them adrift of league leaders Ilkeston Town. Westfields have won the competition as recently as 2015, and will be hoping to regain the trophy now.
